Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-11-24
TIGE BJG LIONS FATE.
Thrilling incident OF the Fire at
B-tdgepOr:-A Keepers Wrath.


A Bridgeport correspondent relates
the following incident of the great me-
nagerie fire When broad daylight and
the non-appeardncc of bloodthirsly
brutes. carrying carnage and destruction
through the streets, had somewhat Gained
the fears and belied the fearful expectl-
tons of the more timorous, the exact
facts regarding the escape of wild beasts
resolved themselves INFO very few cases.
OF them al the most interesting was the
career OF poor Nym, performing lion.
whose violent and unntce ssary death il
much regretted by the show people, and
will also he deplorcd by those of the
public who remember him as he used to
figure i'll the street paradCs.
The fire was almost at its height when
brave "Tim" Buckley, one of the keep
ers, whose especial pet Nym was, found
that his iavorite had not been liberated,
aud seemed doomed to certain death.
Buckley had already distinguished him
self in his efforts to save the lives of the
imprisoned animals. Leaving behind
him what clothing and other personal
property he had in his sleeplng.room, he
had rushed at once to the rescue of the
beasts. He was outside when he learned
that Nym was still pent-up, and he at
once dashed within the f1ame-wrapped
walls. He was choked and blinded and
had to return. Undaunted. he made the
attempt again and reached the lions
cage. He opened the door and freed
them. They were all unmanageahle and
persisted miserably, save Nym. He fol-
lowed the keeper at his word. like dog.
and Buckley soon emerged from his
dangerous quarters, leading Nym by the
long hair OF his name.
The appearance uf q live lion, Also
lutely unrestrained. had startling effect
ON the crowd. They surged in pane,
aud Officer Small drew Eis revolver and
fred Mt the brute with snch poor aim as
only to iuflcta skin wound. It's said that
Louis Hedges, one Of the attaches OF the
show, also fired. and Officer Small AYERS
that he fired under orders from Mr. Hedg-
ley. Still Nym was net even disabled. In
deed, he was scarcely hurt, and again he
was fired on, in spite Of Bncklcy's cries
to stop, as the lion Was perfectly under
control aud he would be able to cage
him. This time BUCKLEY, greatly excited,
shouted eli you shoot again I'll kill
you
They desisted, but the brute, irritated
by the bungling shooting which had
lodged singing bullets here and there in
his hide, broke away from the keeper,
and after running about aimlessly-g get
ting, it is needless TO say, an uadlsputed
right Of way, took refuge behind car
Buckley followed and caught him, and
managed TO force him into pen. The
blundering crowd immediately clustered
orouud the barricades OF the peu
like swarIuing bees, and crushed,
struggled, apd shook the board
Ing IN their efforts 10 get look
at the prisoner. Frightened and irri-
tated still more by TINS, the great lion
with one wild spring cleared the outer
fence OF the pen. which was fully ten
feet high, and landed beyond the bounds
OF the show-grounds free. Then be set
ont on his travels. But be didnot escape
without some more hide-peppering. This
set him of ut trot; but, probably at |
tracted and bewildered by the fire, he /
did not wander far away. 0rouching on |
his launches on heap of bay he gaSed |
at the flames. He was again
disturbed, and. getting up, he rau to Nor
man avenue, thence up TO Fairfield ave-
que and 10 Grove street, and thence to
State street, where Sherwood avenue
crosses it, he turned aside into the yard
81 Mrs. Gilligan, who keeps COWS, and,
yoing TO an open cow-shed, he attacked
! COW and calf. The startled aud ter
ifed brutes beloved loudly and the
unusual din brought Mrs. Gilligan 10 the
Gene. Taking the intruder for big
log she endeavored 10 scare him of, Int
oon discovered her mistake and alarmed
he neighbors. Henry Brcen, q com
ositor, came With rife, climbed on to